Chapter 3 - 'sup biyatch

Apple strolled purposefully down the narrow dirt path on the outskirts of Banner Village that led to the pier. Interrogation of the locals had corroborated Sheena's story, and Apple was anxious to verify the truth of the rumors.

She wondered if McDohl would remember her. He was a nice guy, not that much older than she was, and not bad-looking either. Apple preened her mousy-brown hair and straightened the bow of her scarf.

Apple found the route to her destination blocked by a blonde man in a green cloak. The cross-shaped scar on his cheek betrayed his identity. It was McDohl's servant, whose steadfast loyalty to his young master was rivaled only by golden retrievers. "Gremio!"

Gremio seemed to recognize her as well. "Oh hello there, Miss Apple. Ah, ah, ah, wait a minute. I beg your pardon, but you can't come through here right now. . . I hope you don't mind."

Apple stood her ground. "Cut the crap. I know he's here."

"Miss Apple, please! Ah, I'm sorry, but, if you could just wait a little bit longer. . ."

Apple continued to be unmoved by Gremio's pleas. She thoughtfully chewed her lower lip. She needed to get him out of her way. Any obstacle at this point was intolerable, especially one so mundane. A distraction might prove to be sufficient. "Oh my god!" she shouted. "Look over there! It's a big ... distracting thing!"

Gremio's head snapped in the direction of her pointing finger. "What? Where?"

Apple slipped surreptitiously behind him. "Heh heh."

Gremio continued to stare and blink in confusion. "I don't see it. Where was it again?"

. . . . .

McDohl heard footsteps behind him. His placid expression changed to one of annoyance. "Gremio, for the eightieth time, I don't need to put on a sweater. It's not that cold today."

An unexpectedly feminine voice answered him. He nearly dropped his fishing rod.

"Hello . . . " Apple tried hard to remember his first name and gave up, ". . . McDohl. I would like to have a word with you."

The voice sounded vaguely familiar. McDohl's surprised eyes fixed on the interloper. It was that little student of Mathiu's. "Apple . . .?" McDohl tried hard to remember her last name and gave up. ". . . Is that you?"

Apple continued to look at him sternly and nodded. However, in the back of her mind was an eruption of girlish giggling. 'Hee hee hee! He remembers who I am! Omigosh, I must have made an impression on him!' Her cheeks reddened slightly.

McDohl cast his gaze back to the tranquil water of the river. He looked as if something was weighing heavily on his mind, as if it was unbearable to be reminded of his past. "Why are you here?" he said quietly.

"To get you back to Gregminster where you belong."

"I can't. I'm sorry. I know I let a lot of people down, but . . ."

"Reluctance doesn't suit you."

McDohl looked up into the gleaming lenses of Apple's glasses. There was something very harsh in her voice that made him uneasy. She sounded like she wasn't about to take no for an answer.

"I can't be the president of the Toran Republic! The Soul Eater . . . it wants another war." McDohl rubbed the back of his right hand compulsively.

"I wouldn't argue with it if I were you. If you can't fulfill it's wish then it will simply move to another host."

"Apple, I . . ."

Apple raised her hand to shush him. "This is a republic now, so lets decide this matter democratically. You want to stay in this little shithole town and fish for the rest of your life. Fine. That's one vote for no. But I, the Soul Eater, and the giant kraken under the dock say you're going back to Gregminster."

"What the @#$&*?"

The color drained from McDohl's face as he felt something slimy constrict around his leg.

Apple smiled. "It would appear that we have a majority."

"Giant tentacle monster . . . right in my face . . . " McDohl stuttered as he found himself looking into what he assumed were eyes of the thing that rose from the water.

"Oh, Kraken-chan is a real sweetheart once you get to know him. He followed me all the way from Seika. Master Mathiu used to fish all the time. I never would have guessed that it was because he was keeping one of these things as a pet."

"Unngh. . ." said McDohl, incoherent from shock.

"I know you must be feeling overwhelmed, but have no worries. I'm sure you'll do just fine with me as your High Consul."

"Unngh?"

"We can discuss my salary later. We'd better get going."

When Gremio finally wandered into the scene, he saw McDohl held aloft in the coils of a giant Kraken, and an evilly cackling Apple standing nearby. "I'm sorry Apple dear, I never did see that thing you told me to look at. Did you have a nice chat with the Young Master? Oh my. . . . that's quite a catch today. Well done. I'll have to look up my recipe for Kraken stew. . ."

Apple glared at him. "Oh, you again. Gremio, the young master has decided to return to Gregminster and claim his rightful position as ruler of the Toran Republic."

"Mmmrrph!"

"Well this is certainly unexpected. You never told me you were thinking about going back, young master. Oh well. You should really put on a sweater before you leave. It's a long way to Gregminster from here and it is a bit chilly today."

"Mmmmrrrrrrrrrrrph!"

"No arguments. I insist. I don't want you catching cold. I'll just head back to the inn to get our things and we'll be off."

McDohl groaned in frustration as Gremio trotted innocently away. He looked down at Apple, who was still smiling fiendishly, and suddenly realized that he didn't know if he was more afraid of the tentacle monster or of her.